A Carlos Tevez goal saw Man United into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Roma.
Argentinean scores after Roma miss penalty
A 70th minute Carlos Tevez goal sealed Manchester United's progression into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Roma.
United were two-nil up from the first leg and Sir Alex Ferguson rested several players for the game.
His policy may have back-fired as in the 28th minute when Alessandro Mancini went down under a Wes Brown challenge for a dubious penalty. But Daniele De Rossi skied the resulting spot-kick over to the relief of Old Trafford.
Tevez then netted the vital goal after Owen Hargreaves supplied a great cross from the left for the Argentinean to nod in.
It was his fourth goal of the European campaign and his 17th of the season and set up a clash with Barcelona in the last four.
Ferguson decided to leave Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney on the bench with a crucial Premier League match to follow against Arsenal on Sunday.
It looked a bit of a gamble but it paid off and Owen Hargreaves was outstanding on his return to the side. He was recalled along with Mikael Silvestre, Anderson, Ji-Sung Park and Gerard Pique to emphasise the depth in quality in the squad.
Domination
United showed their intentions from the outset and a cross from the right by Hargreaves was cleared by Philippe Mexes.
Park sent his effort across the face of goal and wide in the sixth minute
following good work by Ryan Giggs. A minute later Tevez was unmarked but headed wide from a cross from Park.
United kept up the pressure and Wes Brown head over the bar following a corner from Giggs in the ninth minute.
The hard-working Mirko Vucinic stung Van der Sar's fingers with a shot in the 29th minute before Roma were awarded a controversial penalty.
Brown was adjudged to have brought down Mancini but referee Tom Henning's decision infuriated Ferguson.
However Daniele De Rossi blasted his spot-kick high over the bar to United's
relief.
Roma re-grouped and Vucinic came close to making the breakthrough in the 48th minute when van der Sar spilled his shot. He tried to muscle in on the rebound but Rio Ferdinand, showing no sign of his foot injury, stood firm and made a crucial block.
Roma stepped up the pace and Taddei rattled in a shot that was deflected to
safety by Silvestre in the 57th minute.
The home supporters were keen to see United extend their lead and Giggs released Tevez in the 67th minute but he had strayed into an offside position.
Breakthrough
The goal eventually came in the 70th minute thanks to Tevez' fourth goal in the
Champions League and his 17th of the season.
He peeled away from his marker to head home following as cross from Hargreaves to put United 3-0 ahead on aggregate.
Four minutes later Rooney was brought on in a bid to increase the misery on
Roma.
He was given a rousing reception but that was nothing compared to the roar that greeted Gary Neville in the 81st minute. It was first run out for a year after ankle injury and he took the armband.
Then in the 89th minute Park saw his effort blocked by Doni as United finished
in style.
| Manchester United |
Team Statistics |
Roma |
| 1 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
7 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 13 |
Corners |
8 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 7 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 79.2 |
Passing Success |
82.4 |
| 26 |
Tackles |
17 |
| 73.1 |
Tackles Success |
47.1 |
| 48.7 |
Possession |
51.3 |
| 45.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
54.1 |
|
